Exeter loses bid for top prize in Small Business Revolution contest

Flags promoting the Small Business Revolution were placed around downtown Exeter in hopes the town would be named a winner in the national competition. (JASON SCHREIBER/UNION LEADER CORRESPONDENT)

EXETER — The town of Exeter has been knocked out of the running in a national competition that could have given six local businesses a $500,000 marketing boost and a chance to star in the third season of the Small Business Revolution-Main Street Series.

After weeks of promoting the town on a national stage, representatives from the show announced Tuesday morning that Exeter did not make the list of Top 5 communities still vying for the prize.

“While today’s announcement ends the high-velocity rollercoaster ride that has been the Small Business Revolution experience — save for their free marketing session in April — it has given us momentum which we as a group this morning decided to carry forward and collectively continue moving Exeter in a positive direction,” Economic Development Director Darren Winham said.

Representatives from Deluxe Corporation and the Small Business Revolution-Main Street Series recently visited Exeter to meet with many of its small business owners in the downtown area.

Exeter was recently named a top 10 finalist in the Small Business Revolution-Main Street Series, which celebrates small business communities. The series is an online show streamed on Hulu.

The Small Business Revolution, sponsored by Deluxe, aims to help small businesses thrive in communities around the country.

Representatives traveled around the country to visit all 10 towns and narrowed the list to five. They are: Alton, Ill.; Amesbury, Mass.; Bastrop, Texas; Martinez, Calif.; and Siloam Springs, Ark. Six businesses in the winning community will get $500,000 to help with revitalization and marketing efforts. The public will now be able to vote for a favorite town through Feb. 20.